Monday, July 5, 2010

Last week my friend Julie, from Norway, was here. I've already mentioned in a previous post that we met in England and lived in the same flat for 5 months. And became life-long friends. It always feels like no time has passed when we see each other again, even though it's been a few years in between. We had a GREAT time just talking.

Thirteen years ago I visited her family in Norway with my parents.

(We were even there for the 4th of July.)

Let me just say, if you ever get the chance to visit Norway, run.

It's quite possibly one of the most beautiful places ever, in my humble opinion.

Here we are last week in downtown Salt Lake City.

(Which one of us looks like they've aged a lot faster?)

And so I made her a quilt for the occasion. And since I've been on a bit of a flag kick, I decided to use her three favorite flags. (Julie was born in the US and lived here for part of her childhood, so she has dual citizenship.) Isn't it great that their colors coordinate so nicely? Once again, I used Cath Kidston as my muse as well.

And I am so happy to report that she loved it. Hooray! She's always wanted a quilt. We both cried. Isn't that the greatest feeling? Giving someone a quilt that they love?

The back. All the fabric in this quilt came from the stash. Woo.

I love the blue and white floral stuff - so Scandanavian looking to me.

Reminded me of Julie's mom's kitchen.

Well, all the fabric was from the stash except for one. The binding. I was having a hard time finding just the right thing, when I found this awesome red dot print for 50% off. Perfect!

I didn't wash the quilt because I figured it would be easier for her to transport back home nice and flat. I guess I'll just have to find a way to get back to Norway sometime to see how the quilt looks washed.

47 comments:

I absotivley posilutely love the quilt. My fathers family is Norewegian, my brother lives in Oregon , my mothers family is British...mmmmm? I've gotta figure out how to put the Canadian flag into that and it would be a go for me. I think yours works so well due to all the straight lines on the flags. The pesky maple leaf could cause some design problems. I just had to tell you how much I love the quilt Amy . The backdrop of the mountains...inspired. Ann

Thanks for sharing...loved your story of a wonderful friend, flags...oh and your mountains. Are those Utah mountains? I love the way the mountains are in the distance in Salt Lake City! I had to go see your profile to see if you lived there! Also a gorgeous place!Paulette

Oh, Amy, your quilt turned out fabulous! I bet it was hard to give this one away. Isn't this a pattern you designed? If so, you need to publish for sure! I have been to Oslo, and I agree, beautiful place. Our family roots are from Copenhagen.

Fabulous! I love all the flags and they look so wonderful in all the Cath-inspired fabrics. The way you arranged them is so cool - not all just sitting there in a row. Love it! And that it will be so loved is the best!

Beautiful quilt!! Although I have to tell you that the first thing (literally) out of my mouth when I saw that photo was, "aaawwwwhhh, Utah!" :) (and I know I've made similar comments a thousand times here before... please forgive my, um, vain repetition...)

What a beautiful quilt! I'm a Norwegian who has lived one year in the States and on year in England - you should make a pattern of the quilt! We Norwegians normally don't use our flag for anything else but as a flag. The only exception is flags on napkins and the use of the colors on our national day. It was wonderful to see that someone else had done what many of us secretly want to do - put the flag on something that will be used (either as a quilt or wallhanging). Long commentary - but I just loved the quilt.

I want to make your quilt with this flag in it. I LOVE it. oh how I love it. I could easily do it I think. And applique the shield. I'm half danish and half slovakian. But everyone in Utah is danish or something scandanavia. Not many are slovak and I'm proud of my non-lds heritage too.

That is a quilt to melt many hearts - it is beautiful and have strong symbolism of friendship across nations. As a norwegian, my hart skipped a beat when I saw it. Life long friendships needs celebrating!!

I belong

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